#Krefeld, The Gin City

Many of you will know that #Krefeld was once known as the “Silk City” or The City of Silk and Velvet.

Although Textiles still features as an important part of City life, with retailers, designers and manufacturers flocking there to meet buyers in September, the industry has wained over recent years.

The fashion for silk ties and matching handkerchieves, is now a remnant of bygone decades.

So how do the inhabitants identify with themselves now? I have no doubt that history plays a part but there is a new found vibrancy to this place, a youthful exuberance where art and music are both supported and enjoyed by many.

This new wave of creativity seems to be paralleled with a drive for innovation, where heavy industry is no longer the core of activity, the a realisation that art and craft go hand in hand with quality and good taste.

There is a great live music scene and plenty of bars and restaurants to enjoy such as Das Café which is a cosy, informal meeting place for the Art Set.

One such example of a burgeoning new business is a new artisan gin which has been in production for the last year…. Reginerate.

This new brew has really taken off in the locality and beyond with its full and fresh taste and designer bottle, who knows perhaps in years to come Krefeld will be known as The Gin City…. only time will tell.